Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from this forum. See how I've mangled your intent. Make suggestions, additions or corrections in this thread.


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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Good idea.
I was working on something similiar but now I can just add some comments. Where should I post my thoughts?

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Great! Glad to hear someone else was willing to dig into it.

Put anything about or for the guide in this thread. Just indicate what topic area you think it relates to, and where in the existing sequence if necessary. I'll just cut and paste from the thread into the guide or adjust as requested.

Or you could put additional material into a ZIP file and attach it to a reply here and I'll download it and incorporate it into the guide that way.

I've got threads on System Defense (Minefields, Minesweeping, Fighters, Satellites, Weapons Platforms, and controlling costs), more on suggested Research sequences, additional on CI ops, Boarding Parties, Remote Mining, more on Treaties, Facilities and Resource Management, Movement, Interface Command subtleties, and I want to expand on both ModPacks and Modding to edit and add still.

Anyone want to put up their pearls of wisdom?

And then someone really needs to put a Modder's Guide together. I really hope someone else will tackle that, so I can FINISH MY FIRST GAME! (I pulled all this together and organized it for myself, originally.)

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the archive has been updated (same name).

Revision 10 Apr 2001: Added to First 50 Turns, Research Strategies, First Contact, Exploration, and Weapon Research Comparisons topics.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

I have some beginners tips if you think they would be appropriate for the guide. I am not to good at uploading to the forum though, I seem to botch it up everytime.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

I do not use sats around my planets. I like to put about 30 on each of my outer WP's with about 20 small mines. Make the sat's a combination of cannon's and missles. This gives me a buffer to unkown sectors. as i expand, I move the sat's out to the next set of WP's As soon as a ship hit's the mines or sat's, I know to move ships into that sector.

You can also plant a couple of sat's in systems that have no planets to monitor movement.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Where can I get the .ZIP file that includes the strat guide? I looked in the MOD/ARC section and don't see it. What is the name of the post? Thanks

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

It is the top post under the forum
Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Thanks Dracus. "Rippling" the sat's as your border expands. That's a nice one. For the inexperienced like myself, could you expand a bit on the use of a sat in an "empty" system to monitor movement? Are you talking about using sensors (which I thought could only go on ships)?

It (and any reply you might give) will be in the next revision under the "First 50 Turns" topic.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Nitram, beginner's tips are probably the primary reason someone will (at least initially) download the guide. Bring them on.

I found posting an attachment a little confusing as well the first time.

For those who've never uploaded before, you select the "Post Reply" link at the top of the thread (or archive) page, which brings up a Reply page with fields for your Forum name and password. There is also a field for the "attachment", which is initially empty. Next to it is an "upload your files" link. When you select that, it brings up a separate browser window with fields for 3 attachments. There are browse buttons which let you navigate to each file location on your local drive. When you have selected the files and clicked the "upload now" button, the Reply page "attachment" field will have a single filename (random numbers with a ".txt" extension), which means the file(s) uploaded successfully. The ".txt" file is probably a "pointer" file to the real filename(s) and location on their server.

Or you can just put it up as a series of Messages. Looking forward to your contribution.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Sure,
Since you can see any movement in a system that you have planets/ships
(unless they are cloaked)
You either have to keep a ship on patrol in the empty systems (were you can't colonize) Or you can just place a sat over in a corner. (less likely the AI will take it out then.) This Sat can be unarmed. Now onyour map, it will so that you occupy that system and everytime some other race enters it, a trangle will appear. I do this to all empty sytems within and around my borders. prevents anyone from sneaking in on me.
Also, maybe sat protect any WP's that come from blackhole systems. Others like to use these once they get shields. I personally don't use sat's to protect planets because they can't move and can't be placed in a defense orbit. Long range guns can take them out quickly. But you will find that most of the time, the wp battles will place both your sat's and the enemy ships near the point. you get first shot and you can take out a small fleet before they even get to fire. send in ships to clean up the others.
And exception to this is nebula and black hole systems:
Blackhole systems will pull anything in so you can not monitor them. So blocking the the connecting systems WP's takes care of any movement acrossed a blackhole system.
Nebula systems hide everything. SO to counter this I put a sat/mine defense on the WP's Anything in or out that is not friendly hits my forces. and now I know were they plan to attack from.

[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 12 April 2001).]

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Here are some tips for beginners. Remember, don't blame me if you follow them and still get your butt kicked, there is no absolutly no certain winning strategy in this game!

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dubious:
Thanks Dracus. "Rippling" the sat's as your border expands. That's a nice one. For the inexperienced like myself, could you expand a bit on the use of a sat in an "empty" system to monitor movement? Are you talking about using sensors (which I thought could only go on ships)?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, you CAN put sensors on a satellite. I do it all the time (and so does the AI). I don't build many of them, since the advanced sensors take up so much room, but it's a cheap way to monitor systems.

Personally, though, I prefer to put bases in asteroid/nebula systems; generally with a shipyard and a sensor, so I can build ships if I need to. I've also created a base with a shipyard, sensor, and combo of satellite, fighter and mine storage, so I can build units in the remote systems. Add a mine/satellite laying ship and you have a pretty potent defence force (since fighters can travel in-system on their own, you don't need a carrier).

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Yes you can add sensors to sat's
But I personally don't Until later in the game and by that time, I have a good defense force built. To do the Sat defense, were you move the sat's outward as you expand, requires 6-10 sat laying ships.
One Other thing, since you can't recover mines.As I expand, I normally destroy them form area's deep within my empire.
This is a risk because if the AI moves ships into your systems before they break off relations then they can attack a couple of your planets. but when they try to escape to refuel, they stall at your defense lines. You
can then take them out with ships. But if they happen to use the solar panels, ( I have not seen this yet.) It could be assumed that they could then repeatly attack inside your systems and force to have to hunt them down.




[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 12 April 2001).]

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide).

Revision 12 Apr 2001: Added new topics: Nitram Draw's "Beginners Game Tips", with subsections on "In The Beginning", "General observations and recommendations", "Must have technologies", "Combat tips",
"Opinion"; topic "System Defense" with subsections on "Controlling Costs", "Treaties and System Access", "Minefields". Added items to First 50 Turns; First Contact subsection on Treaties.

Revision 10 Apr 2001: Added to First 50 Turns: Research Strategies, Exploration, and Weapon Research Comparisons subtopics; First Contact.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Mr.Dubious,

I just downloaded the strategy guide and notice a few typos and such, and was wondering if you would like me to go through it and fix them.

Also, I wouldn't mind converting the guide to MS word - maybe add some targets to make navigation easier. Let me know what you think.

spoogyfederation@hotmail.com or
luke-hazlett@home.com

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Thank you for the offer, capt_spoogy. I try to clean up the typos and such that I find, but another set of eyes is always appreciated. The mind often reads what it expects instead of what's actually there if it's close enough. However, since the guide is still being updated so often (about every other day at this point; I want each revision to be worth the download) I think just pointing out the places where you find problems would be best, and I'll make the changes in the "master copy". Just give me a string I can search for should be sufficient, though the name of the poster and the date or topic in the guide should pin it down decisively. Anyone else who wants to point out things which need correction, don't ask ... just tell me. Bear in mind we aren't trying to "clean up" what someone said, just make sure it's understandable. Minimum editting.

Once the guide has gotten a bit more complete I was going to ask if someone wanted to make an HTML Version. While there's no objection to a Word Version, not everyone has Word, or even the free "Word Viewer". But everyone using the web has a browser. And there is no reason we can't have multiple formats if someone is willing to make the conVersion.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress". The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide).

Revision 15 Apr 2001: Added new topics: "AI Behaviour"; "Projecting Your Influence" with subsections on "Fleet Operations", "Mine Sweeping", "Boarding Parties", "Capturing Ships", "Taking planets". Add to topic "First 50 Turns" new subtopics "Facilities", "Colonies", "Ships, Satellites, etc" (including color code for the sensor level Nebulae obscure), "Intel-CI", "Research Strategies", "Remote Mining", and rearranged some postings to them; rearranged some postings to topic "Beginners tips" and subtopic "Exploration". Also started adding in MM site Q&A to the beginning of appropriate topics.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Dubious, first of all: good job !

if you update the strategy guide, could you change the nebulae obscuration color code, please, cause I have observed the data files once more and have noticed that cyan and violett nebulaes also obscure to level 3, small sector storms do the same.

Summary , ver 1.35 compatible:

Cyan, violett, orange/brown nebulaes and every small storm:

Obscuration to level 3 , ability to scan with level 3 sensor, e.g. Tachyon Sensor II

Green nebulaes:

Obscuration to level 4 , ability to scan with level 4 sensor, e.g. Tachyon Sensor III

Red nebulaes:
Obscuration to level 5 , ability to scan with level 5 sensor, not yet available (w/o mod)

Remark: Cloaking is still buggy with "omnipresent view of all systems", scanners have no function at all with omnipresent view, you can't even detect not-cloaked satellites if they just have a cloaking device in it.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

here is another little tip:

A way to help protect your homeworld or any planet for that matter in addition to using sat's or wp's is to add some mines in orbit. Whiles mines are only good for ships entering orbit. They have been very effective to prevent the loss of one of my major planets. A fleet moves into to glass the area, they run into mines and take some losses. Then in the attack you mop up the remaining ships. The down side is that if a ship get damaged to were it can't move and you have no way to attack it then the planet become blockaded.
To keep re-supply the mine field, either use a base with a SY and mine laying bays or keep a cargo ship in orbit with a couple of mine laying bays building mines on the planet and loading them to the ship after each attack then you can re-build the field. To protect the ship, when battle starts, just move it behind the planet out of attack range. but behind the cover of your planet defenses.
Of course this all is somewhat useless if they send in penty of mine sweepers.
(if you use strat rather then tach then most of the time you will lose the ship since it will run to the corner to die.) But sometimes the mines take out all the attacking ships ant you don't have to battle.

[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 20 April 2001).]

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Mining planets also usually produces a suprised look on a human opponent, the first time http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif After that they get smart but that means the minesweepers must enter combat and you have a chance to take them out.
The best thing about using mines as a planet defense is every planet can produce them. They don't take up much space so you can keep them in storage until the enemy appears and then launch them. They are really good when used in conjunction with fighters.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

How about this against a human player?
Put a small number of mines on A WP then the sectors all around it put a few mines. They will come through the Wp hit the mines and then send in a mine sweeper clear the WP. when they move their fleet from the WP out into you system, they hit some more mines. They will get so freaked about were you may have placed mines. Or sneak into their system and drop mines either in the shipping lanes or out around one of their planets. What a suprise they will get.

(hope no one reads this that is in a game with me. looks around...)


[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 21 April 2001).]

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Thanks for the additional ideas folks. Along with some others currently on the board they'll be in the next revision, which should go up late Sunday evening. I've included all the Q&A from the MM page, and now I just have to go thru the remaining threads I have saved to be sure I have covered everything.

After that it should be only new stuff from now on. (Sorry about the delay, I've had to work late all week.)

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide).

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Revision 18 Apr 2001: finished adding MM site Q&A to the beginning of appropriate topics. Created separate sub-topic for "Scanners and Obscuration" under "Projecting Your Influence". New sub-topic "Fighters" under "System Defense". Additional ideas under "Minefields", "Opinion" under "Beginner's Game Tips", "Fleet Operations".

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide).

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed in this thread.

Revision 20 May 2001: Added sub-topic "Basic Strategy" under "Beginner's Game Tips". Added to "Research Strategies".



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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed here.

Revision 28 May 2001: Added some forum commentary on "recommended mods" and "combining mods" to the "Mods and Mod Packs" topic.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed under this topic.

Revision 03 Jun 2001: Added some forum commentary on "colonization strategy" under the "Colonies" sub-topic; on unzipping new race files under the "Mods and Mod Packs" topic; on combating a technological disadvantage under the "Combat Tips" sub-topic; on Satellites under "SHIPS, SATELLITES, ETC" topic; on using Sensors with Missiles and PDCs under the "SCANNERS AND OBSCURATION" topic; on 'why an AI appears to be doing nothing' and 'what affects population growth' under "AI Behavious"; on clarifying who is dominant when proposing Subjugation treaties under "TREATIES" topic; on population limits for colonizers under "Colonies" subtopic.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Thanks for all your hard work! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon10.gif

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

You're welcome!

And thanks for the kind words. Since there are no download counters, I have no idea if anyone even looks at it except for the occasional pointer to a new member or comments like yours. So 'thank you' for the encouragement. That quick line is appreciated.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

You're VERY welcome, except for the fact that reading that guide for hours is not making me sleepy! Darn it! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an editted compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed here.

Revision 10 June 2001: Added warning about avoiding corrupted save games under "GETTING STARTED"; added new sub-topic "Favorite Ship Designs" under "PROJECTING YOUR INFLUENCE"; added some info on missiles and torpedoes under sub-topic "Weapon Research Comparisons"; added some discussion about AI component use under "AI BEHAVIOUR" topic. Added new topic "STRATEGIC COMBAT".

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html (ignore posted date)

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an edited compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed in the discussion forum under this topic.

It's been a VERY fruitfull week in the forum for the SG.

Revision 17 June 2001: Added "Formations" and "Cloaking" sub-topics under "PROJECTING YOUR INFLUENCE". Added discussion on using Ministers; the effect of Environmental Resistance, and unit limits under "AI BEHAVIOUR" topic; on Temporal Weapons and some old discussion about Emissive Armor under "Armor, Shields, and Damage"; some old info on Long Range Scanners under "Scanners and Obscuration"; about defending Warp Points under "Restricting System Access"; trading tricks under "Treaties"; subtleties of patching discussion under "PATCHES". "Favorite Designs" has been promoted into a major topic with specific ship and unit types as separate sub-topics to enhance searching, with MUCH added discussion including the enlightening "Face of the Enemy" thread and after-action report; added tip on achieving zero maintenance under "Combat Tips" topic (obsolete with the next patch which requires a minimum of 5%). Added new major topic "ANNOYANCES AND THE UNEXPECTED".

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Thanks dubious ...

I will be updating the "face of the enemy" after action report during the week (when I get some time) - it does have plenty of late game detail and some discussion of hideous weapons and grand engagements ...

like;

when exactly is it worth killing 5 billion of your own people with a system nova for strategic advantage?

what happens when 300 organic tech ships hits a fleet of 200 no-maintenance base-ships in open space?

why warp point combat highlights potentially the most exploitable limitation of the game so far ....

********************

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Did you catch the latest on Armor, Shields, Damage?

Basically, weak/small armor gets hit first most of the time.
Large/Tough internals get hit first most of the time.

The more extreme the difference in strength/size the more the above observations hold.

Ie. 1kT vs 10kT armor may be hit first 90% of the time, but 5kT armor vs 10kT armor may only be hit 65%of the time.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

sj, is this based on the size of the component or the damage the component can take? (tonnage space taken or tonnage structure)

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

SJ: Yes I did get that included. Just missed adding it to the revision info. I've also added the Last two lines from your post below to the original information. Thanks for making sure I had caught it.

Mordante: Glad to hear it. I held off Last night as long as possible hoping it would go up before my self-set deadline, but I'm sure everyone would prefer to wait for a good writeup over a hasty one.

You might want to consider re-writing it as if an actual after-action report or historical analysis for submission to the Academy. It certainly fits into their "lessons" criteria, and it makes for interesting reading. Just assume the reader has no specific knowledge of the game (treat it as if it actually occurred) but has a general interest in strategic conflicts. Leave out the technical ship and weapon details but describe the general differences which had to be accounted for. Don't go light on the logistics difficulties either. An old saying goes "amateurs focus on the tactics, professionals focus on the logistics". This sounds like a classic example of that.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools and Help/Info' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html and go to the oldest page (ignore posted date).

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an edited compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed here.

Revision 24 June 2001: Added some fleet strategy to "STRATEGIC COMBAT" topic; instructions on automating newly contructed ship delivery to a waypoint under "ANNOYANCES AND THE UNEXPECTED"; some additional tips on satellite use under "SHIPS, SATELLITES, ETC"; additional design ideas under "Satellites" sub-topic; added a tip about an unexpected tactic under "Minesweeping" sub-topic; added discussion on how to add new shipsets and about victory conditions under "IN THE BEGINNING" sub-topic; about advantages between ship vs fleet training under "FLEET OPERATIONS" sub-topic; more discussion about Counter-Intelligence under "Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence"; about how Ministers handle a new ship class under "AI Behaviour"; disucssion about multiplexing under "Fighters in Defense" sub-topic; discussion about the worth of Auxilliary Bridges, the relative worth of Ripper Beams and Shield Depleters, and how multiple repair bays work under "Ships, Satellites, etc"; a clarification about what damage is stopped by Phased Shields under "Armor, Shields, and Damage"; further comparisons on relative weapon types under "* WEAPON RESEARCH COMPARISONS".


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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools and Help/Info' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html and go to the oldest page (ignore posted date).

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an edited compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed in the discussion forum under topic "Strategy Guide in the Archive".

Revision 01 July 2001: New "PBW/PBEM" topic. Added some more "STRATEGIC COMBAT" peculiarity discussion; comments on the tone used in a message affect on AI response under "Politics & Anger" & "AI Behaviour"; comments on Environmental Resistance characteristic, creating maps, which cultural modifiers are not working, & the effect the different AI starting bonuses under "IN THE BEGINNING" sub-topic; report that fleet experience is functional & another about lost contact under "FLEET OPERATIONS" sub-topic; why to "save empire" during a game under "ANNOYANCES AND THE UNEXPECTED"; added Default Races Chart to "AI BEHAVIOUR".


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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

The zip file in the "Space Empires: IV - Modding and other Help Tools/Information" archive has been updated (same name: SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide). Link to the first 'Modding Tools and Help/Info' Archive page: http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html and go to the oldest page (ignore posted date) of the message; the message gets edited and the file updated, but the message date never changes). Remember you may need to set the archive forum to display "all dates" instead of the default: "only the Last 20 days", to see the 'Modding and other Help Tools/Information' "thread" if you don't use the link above.

The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an edited compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress".

Comments and additions or corrections are welcomed here.

Revision 23 Oct 2001: Added new sections "CLOSE COMBAT WEAPONS", "BUYING TIME". Confirmation satellites are not launched from planets in Strategic Combat, autoluanch using Ministers under "SHIPS, SATELLITES, ETC"; resource bookkeeping sequence, which types "stack" under "FACILITIES"; ground combat lessons under "TAKING PLANETS"; added new subtopic "Ground Combat Lessons"; added a bit on "capture planets", thread on "how big does your navy get", on ship vs fleet orders, and fleet simulator bug, formation preferences, default ship orders under "FLEET OPERATIONS"; a (different) thread on how to capture a planet, general tips, related patch v14.9 fixes under "STRATEGIC COMBAT"; added a thread to "REMOTE MINING" effects after v1.41 patch; added 2 lengthy threads on how to be successfull versus human opponents, handling "missed turn" situations, related patch v14.9 fixes, "PBW Guide" thread under "PBW/PBEM"; thread on "Natural Merchant" racial ability under "GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS"; further discussion under "CLOAKING"; some sequence of events, general questions, calculating supply costs under "AI BEHAVIOUR"; more on installing shipsets under "MODS AND MOD PACKS"; using subjugated race to colonize, peculiarities of subjugation / protectorate requests & offers as "trade" under "TREATIES"; long thread on PPBs, and a short one on Allegiance Subverters under "WEAPON RESEARCH COMPARISONS"; summary of factors affecting happiness of "Neutral" race trait under "RIOT CONTROL"; poll on ship design preferences under "FAVORITE DESIGNS"; update on warp points in the same sector under "ANNOYANCES AND THE UNEXPECTED"; defending small planets under "BUYING TIME"; some clarification on ship design under "CAPTURING SHIPS"; some clarification on repeat research under "RESEARCH STRATEGIES"; allies roaming your system under "RESTRICTING SYSTEM ACCESS"; cloaked can't sweep under "MINE SWEEPING".

Revision 06 Aug 2001: Moved and revised new "WARNINGS" topic to the beginning of the Guide (before "Getting Started") and added "CI bug" to it; new sub-topic "Riot Control"; advice on attacking Satellites under "FLEET OPERATIONS" sub-topic; new sub-topic "Underappreciated Weapons"; comments on Ground Combat lessons learned under "Taking Planets" sub-topic. Added more specific info on incorporating new races which are missing ".emp" files into the game; adding different Nebulae images under "Mods and Mod Packs" topic; some clarification about the use of the "Load Cargo" command, reestablishing contact without planets under "ANNOYANCES AND THE UNEXPECTED"; discussion about "Human" player Partnerships swapping ship designs under "PBW/PBEM" topic; mention that Satellites no longer launch under "Strategic Combat" topic; discussion as to how the "build minister" decides on which ship design to use, about victory conditions, how to induce the AI to trade, and how much time you have when a 'star is about to explode' under "AI Behaviour" topic.


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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"

[This message has been edited by Dubious (edited 24 October 2001).]

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

What happend to Dubious?

MY GOD, I cannot believe we lost this thread and the links in it. Talk about pages of history turning to dust and having to be re-invented. A search for Dubious turned up a mountain of very old, yet very important information for all.

I have added this thread to the New Members Look Here featured topic.

[ July 29, 2004, 02:22: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Have no fear, I have links here:

Download the Dubious Strategy Guide here:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/ubbup...ategyGuide.zip

or download it here (since I've attached it to this post):
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...?Number=379569

You can also read the old Dubious Strategy Guide thread here:

Thread Page 1:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache...ious&amp;hl=en

Thread Page 2:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:WwnGUR8gDpUJ:www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/Forum25/HTML/000019-2.html+"Dubious+Strategy+Guide"&amp;hl=en


I have also attached the strategy guide to this post - click on "Attachment" at the top of this post.

Some had better archive the Google cached links though, as I think we're on the tail end of losing this valuable information.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

First post is to post info links...

He's one of us!

Hi, and welcome to the forums. Cheese?

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Yes, I'm a brand new player... as of a couple of days. Just bought the game from an online auction because I couldn't find it for retail. Got 1.91 installed, and have already tweaked my settings for 255 planets, and EyeCandy. Still looking for a good all-around guide though as the Dubious one is from 2001.

Thanks for welcoming me to the forums. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

You will do well here young inigma. Welcome to these forums, watch out for orbital weapons and enraged Geesmanders in the Cantina though.

The force is strong in this one. He may be the one to bring to balance to the Narf. Possibly with a realy big hammer.

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

- Dubious

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Ive updated my post to include BOTH pages of the Dubious Strategy Guide Thread. Call it the "Dubious Strategy Guide Thread Resurrected by Inigma" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif Thanks for the hearty welcome friends. I feel as if I'm at home. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Atrocities, until you can find a way to archive the discussion safely, you can share this link in the Newbie FAQ or New User thread, which ever you think is best:

Link to My Post: Dubious Strategy Guide &amp; Thread - Resurrected by Inigma
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...ev=#Post379569

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

its been a year time to refresh ----&gt; bump

Re: Strategy Guide in the Archive
 

Actually, it's time to wikify all this information.
http://wiki.spaceempires.net